WOW! This Trophy Is So Cool....

Even though the first T-Ball season is not quite over, we had our end of season team party last night. Our very formal celebration was held at none other than the very posh and hip place to be, Chuck E Cheese. A wonderful time was had by all and Noah is now the proud owner of his very first trophy. HOW COOL IS THAT?

I volunteered to do the cake for our little gathering. The ball was chocolate and the rest of the cake was vanilla. Let me know what you think.....

A Piece Of String

Sometimes there are days when I feel a little bummed. Sometimes I know what causes it and some I don't. Today seems to be one of those days that I don't know why I feel poopy, I just do. No reason. Must be a "woman/menopause" thing. I just can't seem to get up out of my funk. I DON'T LIKE IT!!!

I have found myself being jealous of our cat. I am actually giving her dirty looks. It seems all it takes to make her happy is a piece of string.........

Questionaire Thingys

I really love these things. I especially enjoy learning little unknown facts about people. So if you are inclined, and have the time, copy and paste and send it to me in an email. Or, if you have a blog......like Shawna Lee, Annie, Wendy and CBoz, you are tagged!

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? nope
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Tuesday - Joey...
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? yep
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Deli chicken or turkey
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Yep - 3 guys
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I think so!
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? no NO NEVER! Why would someone as sweet as me do that?
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Nope. Dr Hibner took them
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? If I didn't have any responsibilities, maybe
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? POPS
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Nope
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Depends on the situation but yes, most of the time
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? dark chocolate fudge from Baskin Robbins
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? their eyes
15. RED OR PINK? red
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My lack of self control in some situations
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My Grandparents
18. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Gray pants and dark gray slippers
19. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Goldfish crackers
20. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Noah talking with his "friends" Charlie and Lola
21. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Periwinkle
22. FAVORITE SMELLS? baking cakes or bread
23. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Nonna and Poppy
24. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Yep! She is someone I can always count on.
25. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? UT football, Braves baseball
26. HAIR COLOR? Brown
27. EYE COLOR? Green
28. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Not anymore, bi-focal contacts are tooooo expensive!!
29. FAVORITE FOOD? Seafood
30. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Can I have another choice? How about suspense or comedy?
31. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Amazing Grace
32. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Gray and Orange..... UT!
33. SUMMER OR WINTER? Winter
34. HUGS OR KISSES? Both please
35. FAVORITE DESSERT? Those hot chocolate cakes with the gooey stuff inside.
36. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? The Kill by Alison Brennon
37. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Fake water drops
38. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? Part of Grey's Anatomy
39. FAVORITE SOUND? Noah laughing
40. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Neither really....
41. WHAT IS THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Philippine Islands
42. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I do pretty good cake decorating
43. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Groton, Connecticut

Small Furry Blessings

About 6 weeks ago, God sent this little beauty to us. No one has reported her missing. We had never seen her before. She just showed up at our front porch and started loving on us so as is my habit, I took her in and introduced her to her new family. My belief is that she was sent to us to help us through a sad time. Yesterday we lost our sweet little Joey. She was around 17 years old. When she was about 1 year old, she was hit by a car. A very nice lady found her, took her to the vet and got her taken care of. She could not keep her though because she already had a full house. So, as is my habit, I took her in and introduced her to her new family. She had a pin in her back right leg so she couldn't jump very well. She had internal injuries so she had some stomach problems. In spite of her physical problems and an extreme fear of the outdoors and cars, she was a sweet little girl. She was loving and funny and brought us much joy. Rest peacefully sweet girl. You blessed us much and you will be terribly missed.

Guess Who I Saw Last Night!

Go on......Guess! I'll wait.





No guesses? Well, Pops, Gene, Kevin and I were in attendance at the Alison Krauss and Union Station concert featuring Tony Rice! I really had a wonderful time. In my opinion, A K has a beautiful voice and I could listen to her sing all day long. I also love bluegrass music.....yes, I do! I love the way a banjo and acoustic guitar sound together. Add in a double bass, mandolin and dobro and I am a very happy girl.

Pops, Gene and Kevin all being guitar players enjoyed watching Tony Rice's fingers fly!

This was Kevin's first official concert and even though bluegrass may not be his favorite, I think he really enjoyed himself. He seemed to be a little in awe of it all. I see dreams of being a rock star in his future!

Many many thanks to Nonna for staying with Noah and many more thanks to Nonna and Poppy for providing the tickets. What a wonderful treat!

(side note: Gene was worried because he forgot his guitar picks and he wouldn't be able to help them out.....hmmmmm.......they never did call him up on stage.......they must not have known he was there!)

Ten Foot Tall And Bullet Proof...Sorta

OK. So we were leaving our neighborhood in our ginormous, gas guzzling, politically incorrect Expedition when out from our neighbors yard runs this tiny little dachshund puppy. Gene stopped the car very quickly and little puppy turns to face us. We are now puppy snout to car bumper.......and in a stare down. Little puppy Was. Not. Moving. This struck both Gene and me as quite comical and after laughing at this brave tiny little creature, I got out of the car to have our shoot out. As soon as I said "Go Ahead, Make My Day" and pulled my imaginary gun, little puppy turned tail and ran away. I shouted "Ha! Not Quite So Brave Anymore Are Ya!".

Gee I hope my neighbors weren't watching.

Or worse........listening.

Ten Great Things About......

MY MOM!!!!! I figured since this past Sunday was Mom's day, I would tell ya'll how great she really is! Again, these are not necessarily in order of importance.....

1. She never never ever forgets birthdays, anniversaries and other important days. I'm not talkin just me and my dad. I mean she ALWAYS sends birthday and anniversary cards to ALL my Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and my Cousins children. She also remembers the close friends they have made over the years. Let me tell ya'll somethin'. I really do not know why postage went up again! Mom is totally responsible for keeping the U.S. Postal Service in business! (side note: I did not get this DNA from her....don't expect a card. I buy them, I never actually send them.)
2. She is an awesome cook. She can make a wonderful down home country meal or a fancy schmancy meal and everything in between. She also makes extreemly yummy desserts......the cheesecake queen! (side note: I think I was lucky enough that I did get a little bit of this DNA)
3. To go along with the cooking thing, she is a great hostess. She loves to have people in her home and always makes them feel special and welcome. Folks always leave feeling very full, both of food and love! (side note: I did not get this DNA either...)
4. She LOVES sports. Especially baseball and football. I like to be in the same house as her and her sister when a football game is on. Not because I really want to see the game, but because it is so entertaining to watch them watch a game. They have yelled so loud at times, they have frightened small children. My mom even "helps" run the ball. She has gotten quite a few touchdowns just by running from her recliner to the tv! TOO MUCH FUN!
5. She is a wonderful Grandmother. Noah just adores his "Nonna". She combines the perfect amount of loving and spoiling! I found a quote about grandma's that suits her perfectly...."When I go to Grandma's, she makes me feel like she has been waiting for me all day."
6. She has been and still is an awesome mom. She has given me a great pattern to work from and I hope I do as well as she did. (disclaimer: All my strange quirks and bad habits did not come from her. She tried to fix me ya'll.....she really tried!)
7. She keeps a beautiful house. She is organized and very clean. Her house ALWAYS looks wonderful, shiny, bright and clean. (side note: Once again, I did not get this DNA...deep sigh.....aaaaahhhhhhcccchhhhhooooo! I guess I need to dust...)
8. She loves to shop and find a good bargain and is so very proud when she does. I couldn't find a great bargain if it bit me in the....well, you know. Once again, didn't get the DNA...
9. She is wonderful to volunteer. She helps with everything she can and with everyone from the littlest baby to the most seasoned senior. She makes hospital visits, takes food to the ailing, sends notes and cards (see #1) and even calls them on their birthdays to sing "Happy Birthday". I often make fun of my mom's singing, also known as "the joyful noise" but I think she is so sweet for doing all she does!
10. She taught me the importance of family. When I was little, she made sure that when we were thousands of miles from relatives, I still remembered who they were by reading letters from them, showing me pictures, and sharing memories about them. I have a very strong bond with my family even though we may not see one another very often. She is responsible for that bond.

In closing, she is a wonderful example of being a wife, mother, friend and Christian. I really want to be like her when I grow up!

Top Ten Blessings

Please note: These blessing are listed in a random order not necessarily in order of importance.

1. I am blessed with a mom and dad who have been married for going on 48 years. They not only love each other, they LIKE each other! They are perfect role models and I want to be like them when I grow up.
2. I am blessed to be married to a man that loves me in spite of me! He is understanding, funny, caring, understanding, loving, a great dad, thoughtful, understanding, very smart, understanding.....did I say understanding already? Above all, he loves God and loves to serve God.
3. I am blessed to have boys in my life. No, I'm not drunk, I really mean it. I don't know what I would to with frilly, silly, weepy, giggly, dramatic girls!
4. I am blessed to have the worlds most awesome friends. Some I have had for many years and some for just a short time but all of them are from God.
5. I am blessed to have the greatest family. Not just imediate family but Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and such. I always look forward to being with them. We really do have a blast together.
6. I am blessed to have had my wonderful and sweet Grandparents and I miss them somethin' awful! Blessing 6a. I am blessed that I KNOW I will see them again some day!
7. I am blessed to be a part of Riverbluff Church. I love our purpose and I love the work that God is doing there. I always learn something when I am there. I love the pastors, staff, workers, and congregation. I especially love the web guy/guitar player/sound guy dude! Get your mind out of the gutter......that dude is my husband!
8. I am blessed to be owned by the furry critters in my home. In order of approximate age, not importance, Joey kitty, Cozmo dog, Jack dog and the newest member of the Smith house hold, Flufflee kitty!
9. I am blessed to have been given the opportunity to have a happy healthy and precious baby. Even though he is now 4 yrs old, he will always be my baby! Blessing 9a. I am blessed that I have Kevin in my life. It is such a joy watching him grow into a fine young man. I think maybe he might actually like me too! :-)
10. I am blessed to be a child of God. I know that he is the reason for blessings 1 through 9!!